Lint roll/dispensable fluid container apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lint roller dispensable fluid container apparatus includes a support for mounting a lint roll on a dispensable fluid container. The support may be a hollow tubular member rotatably carrying the lint roll and which is releasably mountable over one end of the container. The support may also be formed on the container cap which covers a discharge nozzle or outlet in the cap.

CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copendingapplication Ser. No. 10/329,717, filed Dec. 16, 2002, which claims thebenefit of the priority filing date of U.S. Provisional ApplicationSerial No. 60/426,589, filed Nov. 15, 2002, and which is also acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/302,038,filed Nov. 22, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/143,396, filed May 10, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6,698,626, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates to cleaning apparatus for removingdebris or dirt from surfaces and, more particularly, to lint rollerassemblies.

[0003] There are many previously known lint roller assemblies. Thesepreviously known lint roller assemblies typically comprise a handlesecured to a cylindrical lint roller support. A tubular cylindricaladhesive lint roller is then removably mounted to the support such thatthe adhesive roller is rotatable relative to the handle. In use, theadhesive lint roller is rolled along a surface to remove unsightlyparticles, lint, pet hair, etc.

[0004] The previously known lint roller assemblies have used a number ofdifferent options to rotatably secure the lint roller support to thehandle. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,923, the lint roller supportand handle are separately constructed and then rotatably securedtogether. One disadvantage of this type of previously known lint rollerassembly, however, is that the rotatably connection between the handleand lint roller support is subject to mechanical failure. Anotherdrawback is that a directional lint fabric cannot be attached to therotatable support section and still be operable. It rotates with thesupport and is not stationary to provide for brushing motion.

[0005] A further disadvantage to this type of assembly is that both thelint roller support and the handle are separately molded from plasticand then assembled together requiring two separate molds, one for eachpart.

[0006] Still other types of lint roller assemblies, such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,695, the lint roller handle includes apair of elongated housing parts, which are substantially identical toeach other. A disadvantage to this type of assembly is that each housingpart must be snapped exactly into the other perfectly registering usingpins and sockets. A further disadvantage is that the handle sectionbeing integral to the support section is manufactured with rigid plasticmaterial and uncomfortable to grip and does not provide for a customizedplastic decorative top or hanger.

[0007] Still other types of previously known lint roller assemblies,such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,5577,0111, utilize a unitarylint roller handle and lint roller support. These previously known lintroller assemblies, however, require a complex and, therefore, expensivemold design in order to mold the lint roller handle and support.Furthermore, a relatively large frictional engagement between the lintroller and the lint roller support often times interferes with thedesired free rotation of the lint roller about the lint roller support.

SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention is a cleaning apparatus which addresses theabovementioned disadvantages of the previously known art.

[0009] In many cleaning situations, the removal of dirt or debris can bemade more efficient by the application of a liquid cleaner to thesurface being cleaned. Aerosol or pump containers are widely employed todispense cleaning fluid in a spray onto a surface to be cleaned.

[0010] Thus, it would be desirable to provide the cleaning ability of anadhesive lint roller with the cleaning ability of a liquid spray forenhanced cleaning capability.

[0011] In one aspect of the invention, a lint roller/fluid dispenserapparatus includes a container containing a fluid dispensable from thecontainer, a lint roll having an adhesive outer surface, and means formounting the lint roll on the container.

[0012] The mounting means may be a hollow support, having an inner boreopen from one end. The bore has a diameter for slidably receiving oneend portion of the container therein. One end of the container projectsoutwardly from the support, after the container is mounted in thesupport, to act as a handle for use of the lint roll.

[0013] Means are also provided for rotatably mounting the lint roll onthe support. In one aspect, the rotatable mounting means is a pair ofspaced bearing surfaces formed on the support, the lint roll rotatablymounted on the bearing surfaces.

[0014] In another aspect, the mounting means includes a first collarmountable on the container at an intermediate position spaced from oneend of the container, and at least one projection carried on the end ofthe container and spaced from the first collar. The lint roll is mountedbetween the projection and the first collar over the container.

[0015] In another aspect, the mounting means is a spindle having opposedfirst and second end collars, and at least one of the first and secondend collars having a through aperture for mounting of the spindle over aportion of the container.

[0016] In another aspect, the mounting means includes a tubular support,means, carried on the support, for rotatably mounting the lint roll onthe support, and means, carried on the support, for releasibly mountingone end of the support to the container.

[0017] In another aspect, a cap is mountable over a discharge end of thecontainer, and means, carried on the cap, are provided for supportingthe lint roll on the cap.

[0018] The supporting means may be a pair of spaced arms carried on thecap, the lint roll rotatably disposed between the pair of arms.

[0019] In another aspect, a discharge nozzle is carried on one end ofthe container. The mounting means includes a support mounted on one endof the container. A pair of arms projecting from the support androtatably carrying the lint roll therebetween. An aperture is formed inthe support adjacent to the discharge nozzle to allow dispensing of thecontents of the container through the discharge nozzle and the support.

[0020] The unique lint roll/fluid dispensable container apparatus of thepresent invention uniquely combines an adhesive faced lint roll with adispensable fluid container to enable a dispensable fluid, such as acleaning fluid, to be dispensed over a surface to be cleaned prior to orat the same time that the outer adhesive surface of the lint roll isbeing moved across the surface to enhance the cleaning and removal ofdirt, debris and hair from the surface. The invention utilizes aplurality of different unique support means for rotatably mounting thelint roll on the container or on a cap releasably mountable over thedischarge outlet or nozzle of the container. Substantially of thesesupports do not require modification to existing container designs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0021] The various features, advantages and other uses of the presentinvention will become more apparent by referring to the followingdetailed description and drawing in which:

[0022]FIG. 1 is an exploded, side elevational view of one aspect of thepresent invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the assembled apparatusof FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a modified apparatus similarto FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0025]FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of another aspect of thepresent invention;

[0026]FIGS. 5 and 6 are exploded, side elevational views showing otheraspects of the present invention;

[0027]FIGS. 7 and 8 are side elevational view showing yet other aspectsof the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another aspect of the presentinvention; and

[0029]FIG. 10 is a partial, perspective view of yet another aspect ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is depicted a lint rollercontainer assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings ofone aspect of the present invention.

[0031] A tape roll 12 may be any commercially available tape roll havingoutwardly facing adhesive sheets or strips, generally arranged in aplurality of sheets wound in a roll wherein the outermost sheets arepeelable from the roll, one at a time, along perforated edges of eachsheet. The tape roll 12 is mounted on a support 14 in the form of aplastic or other suitable material, cylindrically shaped tubular memberhaving an enlarged flange 16 at one end and one or more projections 18at a second end. The support 14 is hollow and has an inner diametersized to snugly, but releasibly received an aerosol or pump spray can 20having a complementary outer diameter.

[0032] The support 14 is formed with first and second bearing surfaces22 and 24, at opposite ends which rotatably support a lint roll 12.Further, a directional fabric 26 may be mounted between the bearingsurfaces 22 and 24 on the cylindrical portion of the support 14.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the can 20 is inserted into the hollowinterior 21 of the support 14. The can 20 preferably has a lengthsufficient so that one end of the can projects outwardly from the flange16 on the support 14 so as to function as a handle during use of thetape roll 12.

[0034] It can be seen in FIG. 2, that the spray nozzle 30 of the aerosolcan 20 can be used independent of the tape roll 12.

[0035] In a modification shown in FIG. 3, the directional fabric 26 iseliminated along with the first and second bearing surfaces 22 and 24.In this aspect of the invention, the tape roll 12 rotates about theouter surface of the can 20 between a first collar 17 and a secondcollar 19 which are mounted on or formed on the can 20. The collars 17and 19 trap the roll 12 from axial movement.

[0036]FIG. 4 depicts an alternate support 40 in the form of acylindrical spindle. The support 40 includes a first collar 42 having anenlarged diameter flange 44 at one end. The opposite end of the support40 defines a second collar 46 having a plurality of radially extendingprojections 48 extending therefrom. The collars 42 and 46 are rigidlyinterconnected by means of a plurality of slats 50.

[0037] The lint roll 12 is forced over the projections 48 and onto thefirst and second collars 42 and 46 wherein it is capable of rotation.The enlarged diameter end 44 and the projections 48 axially trap thelint roll 12 on the support 40.

[0038] An aperture 52 is formed in the flange 44 and is sized to snuglyreceive the outer diameter of the can 20. One end of the can 20 extendsoutwardly from the flange 44 after the can 20 has been fully insertedinto the support 40, in much the same manner as shown in FIG. 2, toenable the exposed end of the can 20 to act as a handle for the lintroll 12.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is depicted other aspectsof the present invention in which a lint roll is rotatably mounted on ancan 20. As shown in FIG. 5, a lint roll support 60 is in the form of ahollow, cylindrical body formed of a suitable plastic for example only.The support 60 includes a bearing surface 62 located between twoenlarged collars 64 and 66 formed at opposite ends of the support 60.The collars 64 and 66 axially trap a lint roll 12 therebetween forrotation of the lint roll 12 about the bearing surface 62 of the support60.

[0040] The collar 64 has an open ended recess which is releasiblyengagable via a snap-on fit with a flange 68 formed at one end of theaerosol can 20 immediately adjacent the nozzle 30. In this manner, thesupport 60 may be snapped onto the aerosol can 20 for use of the lintroll 12. When it is desired to dispense the contents of the can 20through the nozzle 30, the support 60 is removed from the aerosol can20.

[0041] In FIG. 6, the axial orientation of the support 60 is reversedfrom that shown in FIG. 5 in that the collar 66, which also has an openended recess, is releasibly engaged with flange 68 on the aerosol can20.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is depicted another aspect of thepresent invention in which a lint roll 12 is mounted on a cap 80releasibly mountable over the discharge nozzle of an aerosol can or pumpdispenser container 82.

[0043] The lint roll 12 is supported by a pair of arms 84 which areattached to or integrally molded on the cap 80. The arms 84 projectupwardly and laterally from the top surface of the cap 80. A hinge orspindle assembly 86 is mountable between the arms 84 for rotatablysupporting the lint roll 12.

[0044] This configuration enables the lint roll 12 to be employed in anormal manner to remove lint, dust and hair from an article or human. Atthe same time, the cap 80 which carries the lint roll 12 may bedisengaged from the container 82 to enable the contents of the container82 to be dispensed through a discharge nozzle mounted on one end, notshown, from the container 82.

[0045] In the aspect shown in FIG. 7, the cap 80 snaps over an endflange of the container 82. In the aspect of the invention shown in FIG.8, a container 90 has a smaller diameter cap 92 snapped or threaded ontoone end thereof A support 94 is attached to or integrally formed withthe cap 92 and carried a pair of spaced arms 96 which have a spindle orshaft 98 extending therebetween. The lint roll 12 is mounted about theshaft 98 for rotation.

[0046] The aspect shown in FIG. 8 functions in the same manner as thatshown in FIG. 7 in that the lint roll 12 which is positioned laterallyfrom the outer diameter of the container 90 can be used independent ofthe discharge of the contents of the container 90. The cap 92 may beremoved from the container 90 to enable the discharge of the contents ofthe container 90 through an outlet in the container or through adischarge nozzle mounted on one end of the container and removablycovered by the cap 92.

[0047] The aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 9 is similar to thatdepicted in FIG. 7 except that the arms 84 extend from a base 100 whichis integrally molded or attached to the cap by suitable fasteners,adhesive, etc.

[0048]FIG. 10 depicts yet another aspect of the present invention inwhich an aerosol can 20 has a discharge nozzle 122 mounted on one endand surrounded by a suitably formed gripping cap 124. In this aspect, alint roll 12 is rotatably supported on pivot points 126 extending inwardfrom a pair of spaced arms 128. The arms 128 extend from a support 130integrally formed or otherwise attached by adhesive, fasteners, etc., tothe cap 124. An aperture 132 is formed in the support 130 adjacent tothe outlet of the discharge nozzle 122. This enables the dischargenozzle 122 to be depressed to dispense the contents of the container 120through the aperture 132 independently or at the same time that the lintroll 12 is being moved across a surface.

[0049] The supports 14, 17, 19, 40 and 60 described above for the taperoll 12 could also be attached to or mounted on a cylindrical cap, suchas caps 80 or 90.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lint roller/fluid dispenser apparatuscomprising: a container containing a cleaning media dispensable from thecontainer; a lint roll having an adhesive outer surface; and means formounting the lint roll on the container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the mounting means comprises: a hollow support, the supporthaving an inner bore opened from one end, the bore having a diameter forslidably receiving one end portion of the container therein.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein: one end of the container projectsoutwardly from the support, after the container is mounted in thesupport, to act as a handle for use of the lint roll.
 4. The apparatusof claim 2 further comprising: means for rotatably mounting the lintroll on the support.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the rotatablemounting means comprises: a pair of spaced bearing surfaces formed onthe support, the lint roll rotatably mounted on the bearing surfaces. 6.The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the mounting means comprises: a firstcollar mountable on the container at an intermediate position spacedfrom one end of the container; at least one projection carried on theend of the container and spaced from the first collar; and the lint rollmounted between the projection and the first collar over the container.7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises: aspindle having opposed first and second end collars; and at least one ofthe first and second end collars having a through aperture for mountingof the spindle over a portion of the container.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein the mounting means comprises: a tubular support; meanscarried on the support for rotatably mounting the lint roll on thesupport; and means, carried on the support, for releasibly mounting oneend of the support to the container.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2 whereinthe mounting means comprises: a cap mountable over a discharge end ofthe container; and means, carried on the cap, for supporting the lintroll on the cap.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rotatablemounting means comprises: a pair of spaced arms carried on the cap, thelint roll rotatably disposed between the pair of arms.
 11. The apparatusof claim 2 further comprising: a discharge nozzle carried on one end ofthe container; the mounting means including a support mounted on one endof the container; a pair of arms projecting from the support androtatably carrying the lint roll therebetween; an aperture formed in thesupport adjacent to the discharge nozzle to allow dispensing of thecontents of the container through the discharge nozzle and the support.